Trying to buy tickets on TicketMaster can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you get blocked by their bot detection systems. Nothing is more annoying than desperately trying to score tickets to your favorite band’s highly anticipated reunion show, only to be shut out by TicketMaster because it thinks you’re an automated bot. So how do you convince TicketMaster that you’re a real human being who just wants to see a concert?
Understand TicketMaster’s Bot Problem
TicketMaster employs a number of bot detection measures in order to try to ensure real fans get access to tickets instead of bots and scalpers. Some of the things they look for include:
- IP addresses associated with known botnet networks
- Accounts that attempt to purchase high volumes of tickets very quickly
- Accounts using services to mask IP addresses or locations
- Patterns of behavior that seem automated rather than human
While TicketMaster doesn’t share all the details of their bot detection methods, it’s clear they are on the lookout for signs of automation and mass ticket buying. This means that sometimes real fans get caught up if their behavior seems suspicious.
Use a Real Account with Your Actual Information
The best way to appear human to TicketMaster is to actually be human! Using your real identity and account information goes a long way. Here are some tips:
- Register for a TicketMaster account with your real name, email, and payment info
- Use your home or mobile IP address – don’t try to mask your location with a VPN
- Only try to buy the number of tickets you actually need (2-4 is reasonable)
- Use a real credit/debit card registered in your name – no gift cards or temporary numbers
A brand new account trying to buy 8 tickets from a masked IP address is an instant red flag. But your years-old account buying a couple tickets from your home internet will look perfectly normal.
Try Different Devices and Browsers
Bots usually run from one particular server or device, while human behavior is more varied. Try accessing TicketMaster from multiple places:
- Your laptop on your home WiFi
- Your phone on cellular data
- A different browser like Chrome if you usually use Firefox
- Clear cookies/cache to get a fresh session
Switching it up makes you appear more human and less bot-like. It also gives you more chances to try if one device or network gets blocked.
Slow Down Your Purchasing
Bots are optimized to blast through captchas and purchase checkout as quickly as possible. But real humans are usually slower. When buying high-demand tickets:
- Take your time entering details – don’t copy/paste
- Read any pages along the way
- Let captchas load naturally before solving
- Pause randomly during the process
Rushing through like a bot will make you look suspicious. Acting more human by taking your time makes it clear you’re not an automated program.
Try General Sale Over Presales
Presale events tend to get slammed by bots, since the limited ticket supply sells out fast. Try your luck with the slower general sale instead:
- Fewer bots target the main sale
- Staggered ticket release spreads demand over time
- Larger supply gives you more chance before selling out
Presales favor those with bots and insider access. The general sale evens the playing field and reduces bot activity.
Use Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan Program
For very high demand events, TicketMaster runs a Verified Fan presale. Fans must register ahead of time and are verified to be human. Then they get a code to access the presale.
- Registrations are reviewed to screen out obvious bots
- Code access limits mass bot ticket buying
- Gives priority access to real fans
Verified Fan is your best chance at beating the bots and scoring in-demand tickets as a human.
Avoid Third Party Resellers
Third party reselling sites are infested with bot activity. Avoid them when possible:
- Sites like StubHub are dominated by bot ticket buying
- Massive bot activity makes it harder for individuals
- Higher prices due to bots snatching up supply
Buy directly from the primary ticket seller whenever you can to reduce bot competition.
Use CAPTCHAs and Other Tests
CAPTCHAs and other human verification tests are designed specifically to distinguish people from bots:
- Take time to carefully solve CAPTCHAs – don’t rush through them
- If asked to identify objects in photos or select all squares with street signs, carefully complete the tasks
- Click the “I am not a robot” checkboxes when they appear
Bot detection improves when you prove you’re human through these various tests.
Try Again During Less Popular Times
Bots flock to the big shows that everyone wants to see. Trying less popular events can reduce bot competition:
- Weeknight events instead of weekends
- Smaller venues with lower capacity
- Newer bands instead of huge acts
- Weekday presales instead of main sales
Shifting focus away from the hottest tickets can give you better odds against the bots.
Contact Ticketmaster Customer Support
If you still have trouble getting past bot protection, reach out to TicketMaster customer support:
- Explain your situation – you’re a real fan unable to buy tickets
- Be patient and polite to gain sympathy from the rep
- Ask if they have any advice to get around bot limits as a regular customer
A little human understanding from customer service could help you find a way to purchase tickets.
Leverage Fan Clubs and Presales
Artist fan clubs and venue presales provide early ticket access before the general public:
- Fan club members get presale code for early booking
- Venues offer presales for their mailing lists subscribers
- Less competition from scalpers and bots
Take advantage of fan club or venue presale opportunities whenever possible.
Use a Ticket Broker with Anti-Bot Guarantees
If you must use a ticket reseller, look for brokers with anti-bot guarantees:
- Brokers like TickPick claim limited or no bot traffic
- Some brokers reimburse the fee difference if bots caused inflated prices
- Read broker policies carefully for any bot protection
Finding a reliable and honest broker can help secure tickets without getting sniped by bots.
Consider Ticket Insurance
Ticket insurance from a company like Insure The Event protects you if bots block you from buying at regular prices:
- Claim payout if bots cause you to overpay, up to 200% of face value
- Coverage if you are shut out from a sold out event and forced to use secondary market
- Protects from many issues fans face trying to buy hot tickets
Insurance can reimburse you if bots interfere with your plans to attend an event.
Avoid Desperation Bids at the Last Minute
Bots love last minute desperation bidding when human fans panic over missing out:
- Stay calm and don’t wait until the last hours before an event to buy
- Avoid buying just before or day of as bots swarm the remaining tickets
- Consider less popular dates or similar events instead of fixating on one
Don’t let fear of missing out drive you into a bot ambush at the last second.
Adjust Your Strategy Over Time
Ticket purchasing is an evolving art against the bots:
- Bot detection algorithms change over time
- New sites and brokers emerge that may be bot-free at first
- Keep testing and find what works – don’t give up!
What worked yesterday might not work today. Keep adapting your strategy.
Conclusion
Battling TicketMaster bots takes patience, persistence, and a few tricks. But real fans can score real tickets by appearing human, changing behaviors, understanding bottlenecks, and leveraging access opportunities. With the right approach, you can get tickets to your favorite events without breaking the bank or feeding dirty bot networks.